Therapy Caps Exceptions Process Extended

We are disappointed to tell you that yesterday Congress failed to take the opportunity to permanently repeal the Medicare therapy caps. However, therapy services will continue to be available because Congress did pass legislation that extends the Medicare therapy caps exceptions process for one year – until March 31, 2015.

While the extension of the exceptions process will allow people with Parkinson’s and other diseases to continue medically necessary physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy above the $1,920 caps, the Parkinson’s Action Network (PAN) believes a permanent repeal is still needed.

PAN continues to hear from the Parkinson’s community that the exceptions process is not adequate in ensuring that everyone has access to medically necessary therapy services, and we will continue to push for a permanent repeal of these arbitrary caps. Thank you to all of you who weighed in with your Members of Congress on this issue over the past few months – your voices were heard! The Senate Finance Committee did pass legislation this year that included a permanent repeal of the therapy caps, and while that legislation ultimately did not pass Congress, it was an important first step in the process.